Football: Domestic Violence Charges against Solo Dropped

Domestic violence charges filed against US women's football star Hope Solo were dismissed on Tuesday following a request from her lawyer.

A representative of the Kirkland Municipal Court in suburban Seattle told AFP Judge Michael Lambo granted the motion to dismiss.

Solo, a standout goalkeeper for the world number one US women's national team, had pleaded not guilty in June to charges she hit her half-sister and 17-year-old nephew at a family gathering at Solo's Kirkland home.

Police called to the scene found Solo "intoxicated and upset."

The Seattle Post-Intelligencer reported that Lambo dismissed the charges after the alleged victims twice failed to appear for an interview with Solo's attorney.

According to the newspaper's website, Lambo found their failure to cooperate forced Solo to choose between her right to a speedy trial and due process, and because he could not force her to choose he dismissed the charges.

At the time of the incident, police reported they saw "visible injuries" on Solo's nephew and sister and described Solo as "the primary aggressor" and instigator.

Solo, however, has maintained she acted in self defense.

Solo, 33, played on US gold medal Olympic women's football squads in 2008 and 2012 and appeared on the television show "Dancing With The Stars."

She married boyfriend Jerramy Stevens in 2012 after he was arrested for allegedly assaulting her only hours before, but he was never charged, with police citing a lack of evidence.

Solo is currently training with the US women's squad in California, part of the team's build up to this year's Women's World Cup in Canada.